Had the La Salle Street Bridge sketched out - and then... I didn't like it so much so .... I re-gessoed it and did something else!

This is Gotham - It is a rear view of a 59 Chevy Impala superimposed over a random street scene! I like this one way more!

Charlie

Just as I was streaking along in the studio - Charlie and Jamie stopped by for a semi-surprise visit !  It was a semi-surprise because Chelsea and I knew - The Woman had no idea.
So after spending yesterday by the pool with guests - They departed for Chicago this morning and I'm back in the studio!

Been a while

It has been a while since my last post - Had a few art shows along the way, great fun over the Fourth of July week celebration. I've been experimenting with a new style and have a few images of it to post. Toying with the idea of bringing it out next season.

So you can see that I haven't just been lounging out by the pool!

I have another 32" x 48" canvas that I'm working on now of the La Salle Street Bridge in Chicago I'll post a quick picture when it's finished.

End of an Era

It is sort of bitter sweet that I and The Woman have come to a point in our lives where we are almost done raising children. Kaleb, or youngest, is graduating High School. His last day is tomorrow, cleaning out his locker today. Just like a ballplayer being sent on to the next team, life goes on - just not at this school!

As Kaleb contemplates his next step - The Woman and I will have even less responsibility as he takes control of his own destiny. Kaleb is planning to continue studies in pursuit of a Criminal Justice Degree, he has always wanted to go into Law Enforcement. Lord knows he has pushed the envelope as much as possible!

Way to go young man !

Show's are a Coming

 During the off season (the winter months)  it is my job to stay on task and get new pieces ready for the upcoming blitz of shows that are the summer. I have got a few ready, and have some more images to upload later on the site. I always worry that it is enough - my mind goes to other artist booths that look the same every year. While there is some need to be familiar and recognizable, you still want to be fresh and have new things.

 Last year I expanded into shaped canvases and that proved very nice on the show circuit. This year I may have pushed the envelope too far ( we will see at the first show coming up - Old Capital in Springfield) I know after last year that this new one will sell - it just blurs the boundery of painting and 3D. This might cause me some problems at the bigger shows - but it is a chance that I will take.

AT & T is Finished

Just in time for the First Friday CIAO ( Central Illinois Artist Organization ) at the Studio's on Sheridan, I have finished another new ballpark - A T & T.

After being shamed into starting Miller Park , I thought that I really should focus on getting a few more done for this summers season. AT & T lacks some of the major architectural features that are in other ballparks. Since it opens up to the bay not a lot of things going on past the stadium. I countered this by incorporating a stunning sunset to give the painting a very west coast feel.

Stretched some smaller canvases for some things I want to paint , but don't think they are worthy of a large canvas.

Trial

For the next two days we were herded back and forth from the jury room to the courtroom - always a word from the judge thanking us for our patience. The young man charged with four felonies had one dropped and the others left for our deliberation.

It is a little unnerving the amount of information that it actually takes to convince twelve jurors "beyond a reasonable doubt" . It seems that when you get twelve random people in a room it is very difficult to convince all of them of anything. ( This may be hope people can get away with things ie: O J /Casey Anthony )

After several hours and some bad feelings among at least one juror ( see signed I think mainly just to get it over with as she wasn't going to sway the other eleven to her point of view) So the young man that stood before us was found Guilty of the three counts and will be sentenced to jail on May 25th.

The next day in the paper the news article stated that he had been arrested 17 times since he was 17 years old - something that we had no idea of during the trial - Seems that we made the right decision.

Jury Duty
One of the rare duties that regular citizens are called to participate in, is the jury process. I moved to Tazewell County in Illinois some 19 years ago and have not been selected in the random process of jury selection, until this last week.
Following the orders on the form I reported to the jury room at 8:30 AM ( Ipad in hand - thank goodness) to wait most of the morning until they started calling names to line up single file down the center of the room around 11:30. Then after they get about 15 of us in line they tell us to report back at 1:20 - we can go to lunch.
After lunch I was walking back and received a call from the jury office asking my ETA - they were going to send us out as soon as we reported back - that turned out to be at 2:00.
Finally made it to the courtroom and after being questioned about very random things, was sworn in and told to report the next day - thankfully I was in the first group as the next day I was told the others didn't get out till nearly 5:00.